Whether you crave big-city life or small-town bliss as you age, one thing your home should be able to do is support you in whichever stage of life you happen to be, without you having to pick up stakes and move elsewhere.
And that's exactly what's happening. "Cities are on the front lines of the largest demographic shift in history," Paul Irving, chairman of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, says in a statement. "Lifespans are extending into 8, 9, and 10 decades, and older adults increasingly are seeking lifelong engagement and purpose. They expect their cities and communities to support their changing needs."
To that end, the Center, in collaboration with the Institute's Research Department, have released the third edition of their "Best Cities for Successful Aging" report and index. The report, which covers metro areas both large and small, evaluates the amenities and benefits each offers to its population, with particular attention to a city's ability to support a resident through all stages of life.
After all, even when aging in place, not everyone is ready to give up the peace and quiet of smaller surroundings for the excitement delivered by the fast pulse of big-city living—or prepared to face the constant hustle and bustle that would be their lot if they gave up small metro areas for a major metropolitan area.
In seeking to uncover the best cities in which people can age in place, Milken ranked 381 metropolitan areas, "using refined methodology and updated data in nine categories," as well as 83 indicators of livability. Rank and score, to find which are the most livable, not only for older adults but of other ages, too
ThinkAdvisor previously reviewed Milken's top 12 choices among small metro areas; now we turn our attention to the top 12 big metro areas where residents can successfully age.
12. Denver/Aurora/Lakewood, Colorado
- Age 65–79 Rank: 12
- Age 80+ Rank: 13
- General Livability: 55
- Health Care: 18
- Wellness: 4
- Financial Security: 20
Takeaway: The area's active population doesn't let a little cold stop them from taking advantage of all the outdoor activities on offer in this metro area. In fact, it has a No. 1 ranking for physical activity. It also has a strong economy and a lively arts and culture scene, offering professional opportunities as well as community engagement. Strong income and employment growth keep older people in the low-poverty range, and there are plenty of older workers as a result. Good infrastructure makes everything from getting around to getting health care easier, but of course there is a catch: it's expensive—from health care to transit fares to the cost of living overall.
11. New York/Newark/Jersey City, NJ/Pennsylvania
- Age 65–79 Rank: 11
- Age 80+ Rank: 11
- General Livability: 49
- Health Care: 56
- Wellness: 35
- Financial Security: 64
Takeaway: For transit, access to health care and convenience, this metro area is tough to beat. There are plenty of activities and cultural resources for older people, too—but be prepared. You'll be spending a lot to live here and take advantage of all that. Commutes are bad, as are waits for the emergency room, but on the other hand, neighborhoods are walkable and there are strong Medicare signups capturing 90 percent of those eligible. The bad news is that there's high unemployment and high poverty among older people here, and there's not much of a spirit of volunteerism in the region.
10. San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward, California
- Age 65–79 Rank: 9
- Age 80+ Rank: 10
- General Livability: 3
- Health Care: 68
- Wellness: 5
- Financial Security: 28
Takeaway: You'll find plenty to do here, whether it's cultural, educational, or tech-oriented, and plenty of jobs, as well as ample resources for older adults—but jobs tend to go to younger people, with significant unemployment among older adults. In addition, the cost of living is prohibitive and most people don't have the sort of income or assets to allow them to live in the area where they work, so they're consigned to long and unlikable commutes. Fortunately, however, drivers are good, with few car accidents per capita, and neighborhoods themselves are walkable. The weather is a real attraction here, and the quality of available health care is good.
9. Boston/Cambridge/Newton; Massachusetts/New Hampshire
- Age 65–79 Rank: 10
- Age 80+ Rank: 9
- General Livability: 27
- Health Care: 13
- Wellness: 17
- Financial Security: 46
Takeaway: It'll cost you to live here, whether you're healthy or not; home prices are high, as are the price tags on assisted living and nursing homes. But the quality of care is excellent, with medical school affiliations for most hospitals, lots of doctors, and plenty of home care options. Then there are the area's education options, with top universities, as well as employment options, with lots of 65+ workers on the job. There's also special-needs transportation, strong transit funding and walkability to consider. But on the negative side, there are high levels of depression in the Medicare population, as well as numerous older-adult injury falls and few caregivers.
8. Jackson, Mississippi
- Age 65–79 Rank: 8
- Age 80+ Rank: 8
- General Livability: 77
- Health Care: 3
- Wellness: 71
- Financial Security: 8
Takeaway: Jackson does well on median home and rental prices, and even on the cost of hospital stays. In fact the cost of living as a whole is pretty welcoming, as is the employment atmosphere for older people. However, there's low employment growth and a "struggling economy." Still, access to good health care—plenty of nurses, nurse practitioners and orthopedic surgeons, as well as plenty of caregiving options—can make this an attractive place for older people whose physical health isn't keeping up with their mental stamina.
